Definition

Noun 1. A type of bandicoot with distinctive, elongated, leathery ears resembling those of a rabbit: This term refers specifically to a marsupial mammal, characterized by its long, rabbit-like ears, which is a member of the bandicoot family (Peramelidae).

Examples

• The rabbit-eared bandicoot is a nocturnal creature, foraging for insects and small invertebrates at night.
• Scientists study the habitat of the rabbit-eared bandicoot to understand the health of the Australian ecosystem.
• Unlike other bandicoots, the rabbit-eared bandicoot has exceptionally large, leathery ears that aid in thermoregulation.

Advanced Usage

• The term is a compound noun that functions as a single, specific zoological name. It is often used in scientific or naturalist contexts to distinguish this particular species from other types of bandicoots.
• It can be used descriptively to highlight the most prominent physical feature of the animal:

Variants and Related Words

• Bandicoot (n): The general common name for the family of small to medium-sized, terrestrial marsupial omnivores to which the rabbit-eared bandicoot belongs.
• Bilby (n): A common name for the rabbit-eared bandicoot, specifically referring to species in the genus . The greater bilby () is a well-known example.
• Marsupial (n): A mammal of an order whose members are born incompletely developed and are typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother's belly. Bandicoots are marsupials.

Synonyms

• Bilby: This is the more commonly used synonym, especially in Australian English and conservation contexts.

Notes on Meaning

• The term is highly specific and refers to a particular animal, not a general concept. Its meaning is fixed within zoology and wildlife discourse.
• It is important to note that "rabbit-eared bandicoot" is not an idiom or a metaphorical phrase; it is a literal description of the animal's appearance.

Noun

1. bandicoot with leathery ears like a rabbit